was I not permitted to take a walk outside in the air for near four months, or was any person allowed to speak to me without the general’s permission.  Through the intercession of the excellent Captain Bergeret, of the French navy, I was removed to the house where the English officers, prisoners of war, were confined.  This house is situated a little without the town, enjoys a pure air, and is surrounded by a wall enclosing about two acres of ground.  In this place Mr. Atkin and me soon recovered our health, and here we have remained to this day.  Thro’ my friend Bergeret, I have lately obtained the greatest part of my books and charts, and therefore am assiduously employed in repairing the ravages that were made amongst them by the Porpoise’s shipwreck, and in making others to complete the hydrographical account of my voyage.  Admiral Linois, as well as Bergeret and another naval captain, interested themselves that I might be sent to France, but it was positively refused, upon the principle that I must wait until orders were received concerning me from the French Government; and an application to be sent into the interior part of the island, where we might enjoy good exercise and some society, was no more successful.

“This account will not a little surprise you, my dear sir, who have so lately shown every attention to the Geographe and Naturaliste; but a military tyrant knows no law or principle but what appears to him for the immediate interest of his Government or the gratification of his own private caprices.  Passports, reciprocal kindness, and national faith are baits to catch children and fools with, and none but such consider the propriety of the means by which the plans are to be put into execution.  Men of genius, heroes (that is, modern French generals), are above those weaknesses.  I can give you no further explanation of General de Caen’s conduct except that he sent me word I was not considered to be a prisoner of war, and also that it was not any part of my own conduct that had occasioned my confinement.

“What I am suffering in promotion, peace of mind, fortune, fame, and everything that man holds dear, it is not my intention to detail, or have I room; but when added to shipwreck and its subsequent risks, they make no very common portion of suffering.  How much I deserve all this may be left to your friendly judgement to decide.  It is impossible for me to guess how long I am to be kept here, since the French despatches, as well as the letters I have been permitted to write, will probably be thrown overboard on the ship meeting with our cruisers.  However, I think my foe begins to be touched with some remorse of conscience.  We have accounts by Admiral Linois of the China fleet having lately passed, and in it my officers and people, who, I hope, are before this time in England.  Having a private opportunity of sending a letter to India, I commit this to the care of Mr. Campbell for you; and may you,